Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Independent Agencies Title IV: General Provisions Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 - Makes appropriations for FY 1998 for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and for sundry independent agencies. Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General Post Fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery System; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Prohibits the obligation of funds provided under previous legislation for a replacement hospital at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, and makes such funds available to implement capital facility recommendations contained in a report regarding veterans' health care needs in northern California. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (8) community development block grants; (9) the HOME investment partnerships program; (10) homeless assistance grants; (11) housing for special populations; (12) the Federal Housing Administration; (13) the Government National Mortgage Association; (14) housing policy development and research; (15) fair housing activities; (16) management and administration; (17) the Office of Inspector General; and (18) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Sets forth provisions regarding the Capital Grants - Capital Loans Preservation Account and makes certain excess amounts recaptured from interest reduction payment contracts available for properties eligible for assistance under the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 or the Emergency Low Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987. Rescinds specified amounts for: (1) the Supportive Housing Demonstration Program; (2) the Shelter Plus Care program; and (3) rental housing assistance. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 201) Extends certain provisions regarding contributions for low-income housing projects and the demolition, disposition, or conversion to home ownership of public housing. Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to extend provisions regarding the streamlining of Section 8 tenant-based assistance. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend provisions regarding Section 8 rent adjustments. Amends the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, I to extend provisions regarding delays in the reissuance of Section 8 vouchers and certificates. (Sec. 210) Amends the National Housing Act to authorize HUD to make partial guaranteed mortgage loan payments for health care facilities. (Sec. 211) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend the Secretary of HUD's authority to enter into certain risk-sharing agreements to determine Federal credit enhancements for loans for affordable multifamily housing. Increases the number of units to which those agreements may apply in FY 1998. (Sec. 213) Incorporates the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (title II of S. 947, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, as passed by the Senate) into this Act by reference. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (4) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (5) the Office of Inspector General; (6) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (7) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Makes the Working Capital Fund available to EPA for maintenance and operation of administrative services without fiscal year limitation. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program; and (7) the National Flood Insurance Fund. Requires the Director of FEMA to promulgate a methodology for collection of fees applicable to persons subject to FEMA's radiological emergency preparedness regulations. Permits collection of such fees only during FY 1998. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for human space flight, science, aeronautics, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 415) Expresses the sense of the Congress that all equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 417) Requires amounts necessary for FY 1998 pay raises for programs funded by this Act to be within levels appropriated. (Sec. 419) Authorizes certain corporations and agencies of HUD to make commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as necessary to carry out provisions under the Government Corporation Control Act. Allows any collections by such corporations and agencies to be used for new loan or mortgage purchase commitments to the extent provided under this Act, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 421) Makes funds to carry out the termination of the Office of Consumer Affairs available from those appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services for FY 1998.